The Capital Regional District is reminding residents in Colwood and across the region to prepare for unexpected emergencies as they mark Emergency Preparedness Week from May 3 to May 9, 2026. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the national initiative, which aims to help households create emergency plans and stock essential supplies to stay self-sufficient for at least seven days.
The 2026 theme, In It Together, highlights the importance of social connections in building community resilience. Officials note that strong relationships between neighbours help create trust, which is essential for a coordinated and effective response during local disasters. As the region serves 13 municipalities and three electoral areas across southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, officials are emphasizing that preparation is a shared responsibility.
British Columbia faces a variety of natural hazards, including earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, floods, and extreme heat. Climate change is further intensifying the impact of these events, leading to more frequent forest fires, powerful wind storms, and heat domes. The vulnerability of the region was recently underscored by flooding that occurred between December 10 and December 19, 2025, which resulted in the province offering disaster financial assistance to impacted electoral areas.
To help residents stay informed, the regional government launched an Emergency Dashboard in 2025 that consolidates alerts from local, provincial, and federal sources. Given that regional parks within the district attract over five million visitors every year, officials encourage everyone to prioritize safety planning both at home and while enjoying outdoor spaces.
For those looking to learn more, PreparedBC is hosting a free webinar in partnership with Building Resilient Neighbourhoods on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time. The session will offer practical advice on how to build local community connections to better prepare for emergencies.
